Pinza and Rethberg, among others, made recorded advertisements for Lucky
Strike cigarettes, presumably for distribution to radio stations, on
twelve-inch diameter single-side vinyl "78" rpm records, recorded by RCA
Victor and issued with a special gold label. On the one example I have,
labeled "Lucky Strike Presents Miss Elisabeth Rethberg," RCA no. CS 07760,
the announcer introduces Madame Rethberg, states that she will sing "Un bel
di" from "Madame Butterfly," then a part of her commercial recording of UbD
is played, followed by a chat during which Rethberg discusses how she
faithfully smokes "Luckies" and enjoys "the lelaxation uf a liyt smoeke"
(sell it baby).
Caruso also smoked, heavily.
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Albright" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2017 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: Other Singers Who Smoked
> His quote in his ad: "We who sing must be extra cautious about our
> throats.
> I get my greatest enjoyment from Lucky Strikes because I find they do not
> affect my voice."
>
> On Thu, Sep 7, 2017 at 12:11 PM, Marie Lamb <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Regarding Martinelli, I recall reading somewhere that he was asked, "Is
>> it
>> true that [brand] cigarettes don't hurt your throat, as you say in the
>> ads?" Martinelli's reply: "Of course it's true. That's because I have
>> never
>> smoked them." Apparently, he made the endorsement and got paid for it,
>> but
>> didn't actually use the product. Maybe this is also true of some other
>> singers, who made the endorsements back in the days before the general
>> public knew of the dangers of tobacco.
>>
>> Just a thought--
>>
>> Marie Lamb
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 7, 2017 at 12:25 PM, William Albright <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I have a set of yellowing newspaper ads in which Reinald Werrenrath
>>> (remember him?), Jeanne Gordon, Mario Chamlee, Mary Garden (!!!),
>>> Giovanni
>>> Martinelli (!!!!), Nanette Guilford, Julia Claussen, Leon Rothier
>>> (!!!!!!),
>>> and Mary Lewis claim that Lucky Strikes soothe and protect their voices.
>>> bill albright
>>
>>
>
> **********************************************
> OPERA-L on Facebook:
> http://www.facebook.com/groups/25703098721/
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, send a message to [log in to unmask]
> containing only the words: SIGNOFF OPERA-L
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> To stay subscribed but TURN OFF mail, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] containing only the words: SET OPERA-L NOMAIL
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Modify your settings: http://listserv.bccls.org/archives/opera-l.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************
OPERA-L on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/25703098721/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To UNSUBSCRIBE, send a message to [log in to unmask]
containing only the words: SIGNOFF OPERA-L
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To stay subscribed but TURN OFF mail, send a message to
[log in to unmask] containing only the words: SET OPERA-L NOMAIL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify your settings: http://listserv.bccls.org/archives/opera-l.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------